I'm so tired of getting bent over every time I need tires. Just changed out my rear tire, $235.00. Same tire, pilot power 3 at motorcycle superstore, $176.00 free shipping. $59.00 labor plus my gas to drop off and pick up my wheel/tire. I did have him install a angled valve stem, I supplied the valve stem.
I'm not against anybody making money but wtf. If I can buy that tire for $176.00 whats a dealer got in it? So anyway I'm going to invest in a tire changer and balancer. If any of you are changing your own tires I would be interested in hearing what changer you bought and how you like it. I like doing my own bike maintenance anyhow, just seems to make sense to take it to the next level.
Also if you change your own tires and regret investing the money on equipment and wished you just took it to the dealer let me know. Maybe I'm just being a cheap fuck and I need to let it go, but this pisses me off every time I go through it. Thanks I feel better already.

* Last updated by: wfozx14 on 9/23/2013 @ 2:22 PM *

I got a static balancer from Harbor Freight and it works great, as far as getting the tire off I use the old school levers and rim protectors, no prob and works great.

My local bike shop charges $25 to install a new tire and remove the old one. I drop off the wheel and pick it up.

Streetracer-I drop off my wheel/tire and pick up as well. $25.00 sounds like a reasonable rate. Do you supply the tire or are they making there profit on that end of the deal.

Bobby- thanks I'll check out Harbor Frieght.

I usually find good tire prices online, which place changes depending upon what sales they are having. I drop off the new tire and the wheel/old tire to my local dealer (3 miles from my house). $25 and they dispose of the old tire. The last time I ordered online they told me it would only be a few minutes to install it, so I should just wait. I walked around the dealership and saw that the tire prices at the dealer were almost as good as the online prices. So this time I just had them order the PR3 I wanted. It was just a couple bucks more. I'll probably do that from now on and support my local dealer.

Changing your own is the way to go homeboys!!!

wfozx14: I supply the tire. They only get their labor but they are always happy to do it.

I just bought a set of PRIIs for $200 (See Good tires cheap thread)

I use my bench vise as a bead breaker and glue clamps to hold the bead in the dropped center portion of the rim to make levering off on the other side easier. Built a balance stand and equipped it with a $36 rod-and-cone-shaft on precision bearings. By the time I drive to a shop and wait around while they drink coffee and make lewd remarks about anything with an ass before changing my tire, I'm done and the wheel's back on the bike.

I have done tires front and rear on my FZ1 without balancing and had absolutely no problems (Took that one up to 155mph) And I did the rear on the 14 without balancing and had zero issues at triple digits. I am sure there is allot of disagreement with not balancing but it has never caused me any trouble. I did my friends rear on his Triumph 675 and he has no problems either.

No-Mar classic is supposed to be really good,they are safe for BST's

I could not let my new CZ rims go to the dealership for new tires. They scratched my OEMs first tire change.

I got a simple black Widow tire changer / bead breaker and three 15" tire irons + about 8 rim protectors. about $140 all together.

Also got a tire balancer for about $100. They make stick on wheel weights.

Also need a air compressor. A pancake will usually get it done ($60 Harbor Freight) but I ended up going to the tire shop to get the first bead seated.

It is a great deal of work. I still put a tiny scratch on my rim ...it requires a huge amount of force. Not something I recommend doing on your own but I was able to get it done solo.

I'm very careful. Took me all day. Next time, I will get it done quicker. Just like all the other routine jobs.

The secret to the No-Mar is the bar they have. I thonk the wheel holder does pretty much the same job as a cheap Black Widow.....doesn't it?

GREAT TIRE MOUNT BALANCE TUTORIAL<<<click here

* Last updated by: Rook on 9/30/2013 @ 6:28 PM *

The No Mar stuff looks really nice, but the price of the Black Widow is pretty inviting. I'll have to do some research. I will have to get something soon my tires are loosing tread almost daily. I'm kinda scared to try to download that tutorial Rook, looks like a big one.

You will find a few tire changers under different names that all look like the Black Widow. I' am sure they are all the same thing. You could buy the cheapest one.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/71/995/38786/ITEM/Motorsport-Products-Portable-Tire-Changer-with-Bead-Breaker.aspx

I bought the long curved tire irons ....you will need three.

I got three of these from MotorCycle Superstore

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/71/995/28910/ITEM/MotoCentric-16-Tire-Tool.aspx

Also you need to have about 6 of these...you will find them cheaper if you search " motorcycle rim protectors"...i got white ones that were cheaper.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/71/995/29625/ITEM/Motion-Pro-Rim-Protectors.aspx

You will need some dish soap to lube tire beads. You can buy special tire gel that some people like a lot.

If you are working on your OEM rims....they are very strong....much tougher than lightweights like CZ. I don't think you will bend an OEM rim. I had no problem with mine. Just remeber that you have a HUGE amount of leverage with 15" irons. I usually do not grasp them at the end to avoid using too much force....but I do not thgink you really need to worry with OEM rims as long as you use common sense and do not try to lever half the tire over the rim in one swat.

I will say, I was nervous with my forged aluminum CZ rims. No damage though.

I'm kinda scared to try to download that tutorial Rook, looks like a big one.

If you do it. I have pics that will help you a lot. If you have the time, I can post on this thread for you. I am planning to do a How To one of these days.

Also if you change your own tires and regret investing the money on equipment and wished you just took it to the dealer let me know.

* Last updated by: Rook on 9/30/2013 @ 8:35 PM *

Rook crazy useful!
Thank you for posting!
W